THR Let's make it a matched set!

[gertie]

Good luck with your outing!

 

[leejaa]

Congratulations on your first post op drive. Must feel like a bit of freedom and normality is back. At least you know you can even if not far. Always a good feeling to have another choice instead of the dreaded "can't do that". You are on your way to a longer list of things you will be able to do without thinking of the hip(s) soon.

 

[gertie]

At least you know you can even if not far.

Indeed, and that is freeing. But I'm still at that point of needing to consider how much energy/strength is needed for getting somewhere, doing something, and then getting home. No grocery shopping yet.

 

[Layla]

Congrats on the driving, Lynn. It's a good feeling to get comfortable behind the wheel again.

Consider a small trip to the grocery store when you're ready, only grabbing a limited number of things, just to see how you do, energy wise. Slowly ease into it. Or, even a drugstore run, at a store where you know you'll be able to park close to the door, then test how quickly you tire by walking / pushing a cart around the store looking at merchandise, a trial run of sorts. It will help gauge your current limitations energy wise, while building your confidence. Just an idea...
I hope you have a lovely day!
@gertie

 

[gertie]

Thanks @Layla I'm contemplating a short food run later today or tomorrow morning.

Today was my last visit from the in-home PT--lovely lady--nice warm hug at the end. Her primary focus was on helping me do typical things safely--step in and out of the combo tub/shower, get in and out of the driver seat of the car, etc. We'd also go for a walk each time she visited. At my request she left me with a sheet of simple exercises but cautioned me several times to not do anything that hurt. With the last hip I went to outpatient PT at around 8 or 9 weeks and might take the same approach with this one. It helped a lot with regaining strength, balance, flexibility.

 

[Barbaraj]

Sounds like you're doing great, @gertie--wow, driving already! I've ordered my temporary disability parking pass but it hasn't arrived yet. When I accepted a cancelation appointment on Wednesday I had little time to get everything all done, but the doctor's office called and said they'd mailed it to the DMV. Of course, my experience last time was that there are a whole lot of folks with those placards and it seemed like we rarely found an open handicapped parking space. Oh, well--just more motivation (as if I need any!) to get recovered and moving on. I'm with you on outpatient PT (never got any inpatient except the perky young man at the hospital who gave me some exercises to do at home--the heel pumps I can do--but moving my operated leg to the side or the heel slides--ha!) but will definitely talk to my surgeon at the 6 week check-up, assuming I'm feeling good, and ask for a referral to PT. With two new hips, I'm now balanced and focusing on a proper gait and rebuilding strength are definitely on my future agenda.

 

[gertie]

@Barbaraj Hope you're feeling better today--must feel good being home. The in-home PT is part of the package with my OS--she also checks vitals, checks the incision, takes off the waterproof dressing after a week, etc. Very reassuring. I didn't get a temp handicap sticker this time around and now kinda wish I had, if only to be sure I'd get a spot where I can open the door wide I'll just have to circle the parking lot to find the perfect spot.

 

[gertie]

Drove myself to a friend's house for a short visit today. Getting out of the car continues to be a bit of a production with my long legs but it's getting a bit easier. The driving was fine.

But oh my the energy drain is still a factor. I lasted about 45 minutes at my friend's house, sitting at the dining table, before everything in my body was yelling to get home, with feet up and back reclined. When I did get home and stretched out on the couch I fell asleep for about a half hour. Sheesh.

I remember this from my previous THR--with the last one I was able to be pretty sociable at about 6 to 8 weeks--go out for meals and worry less about where I was going to sit and whether I'd fall asleep in the soup!

I looked back at my thread from that previous THR and at just the same point in recovery I made my first social outing to the same friends, lasted about 1/2 hour to 45 minutes, and headed home. So, good to know the trajectory is the same.

 

[Barbaraj]

Boy, I can so relate to the energy drain factor, @gertie! Even when my hip was feeling pretty good, I would be completely undone by the energy drain which turned every outing into a major, exhausting event. I expected energy drain for the first week or two, but thought it would fade after that--but no, I just got tired so easily. I hope I'll do better with this first hip, realizing that just because so surgical pain I still won't have a lot of stamina for a longer period of time. But congrats on the drive to a friend's house for a visit--that must have been very satisfying even if tiring.

 

[gertie]

that must have been very satisfying even if tiring.

It was a good thing--to get myself out of the house under my own steam. But I know I need to pace myself. I'm remembering with the last hip driving some distance to meet a friend for coffee, sitting with her for about 20 minutes and realizing that if I was going to drive the 35 minutes home safely I needed to leave. So deep breaths and patience!

Are you feeling any better?

 

[gertie]

I'm one month and a day into recovery. Here's where things stand:
--Pain is minimal; stiff and a bit sore first thing in the morning and again in the evening, especially if I've been up and down a lot but I'm talking no more than a 1 or 2. Continuing to manage w acetaminophen for pain relief.
--Trying to get out for a walk each day but weather doesn't always cooperate--really hot over the weekend and then heavy rain yesterday. Just went for a stroll down the block and could really feel my leg muscles and my lack of energy so I know I need to do this more and build up some strength and stamina. (I'm in awe of those who are going for walks they can measure in miles at the 2 and 3 week point; I'm still measuring mine in feet or yards.)
--Walking with a cane outside and sometimes in the house--but sometimes with nothing when indoors. Still have the walker by the bed for middle of the night bathroom trips but it's starting to get clothes draped on it--just about time to put it away.
--I can drive and went for a short drive Saturday but haven't been out in the car since then. No real need; the car is not all that comfortable; getting in and out safely is a bit tricky; and I'm aware of limited energy for doing anything once I get where I'm going. I have a medium size grocery list and thought about going to the store and doing the shopping myself and then reconsidered and placed my order online to be delivered.
--Have been active again on a committee I'm part of and have met a couple of times with my writing group--people have been willing to come to my house, which makes things easier. It's nice to be part of happenings in the larger world that aren't focused on hip recovery!
--Feels like the post-op brain fog is clearing. I've even read a couple of books!

I feel like I'm at a slow point in recovery. Part of me is rarin' to go but I'm really aware of the energy drain and also cautious about where I'll sit if I go to other people's houses or how I'll manage a low toilet (which is why I've appreciated having folks meet at my house--lots of low couches and loos out there). I remember being at this point in my previous hip recovery and I tell myself that things will start to shift in a couple of weeks (although those low toilets continue to be a pain for a while).

 

[Layla]

Hello Lynn,
Thanks for the update. You're doing really well. It's inspiring for those following behind to see how things can change over the course of a month. There's not a lot you can do about others toilet heights while visiting, but you can always sit on a dining chair, in lieu of a low sofa if necessary, not always the most comfy option, but at least you'll be able to get up easier. Looks like you're on your way.
Have a great rest of the week!
@gertie

 

[Barbaraj]

You are doing SO great, @gertie! Very nice to read. I can appreciate that place you're at currently, feeling so much better but aware of energy drain and the need not to overdo things. It sounds like you're getting out and re-engaging with the world, that is terrific. My world is so narrow at the moment, but I am hoping as I'll improve I can get out of the house soon. I remember my first meal out with my husband the last go-around. It was wonderful! And my temporary disabled pass arrived in the mail yesterday so I'm good to go. Keep on doing what you're doing--well on your way to a full recovery, so hurray for you!

 

[gertie]

@Barbaraj It is great to focus on something other than recovering joints and all that goes along with that! The small meditation group I'm part of came to my house at the end of week 2 and that in itself was liberating--conversation about something other than recovery! And if you're also getting out of the house--even better (although I do love being able to sit with my feet up on my comfy couch).

 

[leejaa]

Sounds like you are doing really well. Slow but sure will get you there without too many backward steps. Good choice on having groceries delivered - why get over tired and then still have to drag them in the house and put away. It finally got cooler at our house and it is so much more pleasant just to enjoy the outdoors without the high heat and humidity. I guess I will not have to worry about that when I recover in Nov/Dec.

 

[gertie]

@leejaa I had my first THR at the end of October and, at least here in the Connecticut River valley, November/December was a great time to recover--no serious snow/ice to contend with and comfortably cool temps for walking outside. Re: groceries--I remember blithely going to the grocery store early in one of my recoveries and feeling lightheaded while I waited in line to pay--I made it through the line and home again OK but it was too much time on my feet at that stage of things. This is a new delivery service, based at my favorite supermarket, and very efficient.

 

[CricketHip]

Hi @gertie and good morning! Just checking in, you sound like you are perking right along.
I can so relate to those low toilets! Am always annoyed when I choose the handicapped stall and the commode is no better than a hole in the floor! But they slap a handrail beside it and think it's all good.
4 weeks is a good place to be, just think how we will feel in 4 more?

 

[Layla]

Happy One Month Anniversary!
It's Righty's one month milestone.
A flower for you on your special day
Hope it's a good one, enjoy!
@gertie

 

[Elf1]

@gertie Happy One Month Anniversary! You are doing really well, it is amazing what a difference a month can make. Really good call on having groceries delivered. I've been going to the store with hubby and grabbing things for a few days at a time. I do ok while in the store as we're not usually there that long but when we get home he pretty much unloads and puts everything away. That energy drain is definitely real!

 

[Barbaraj]

One month, @gertie, a significant milestone in recovery so congrats and celebrate yourself! You continue to do well, with small victories along the way, that's how it's supposed to be. Hope you're enjoying a sunny and restful day. Cheers to you!